Mindfulness Workshops​

DUE TO STRICTER GUIDELINES OF LAST DAYS, THIS EDEN CK WORKSHOP IS NOW CANCELLED​Sunday 22nd March 2020

​​Hello everyoneI hope you are looking forward to the Mindfulness Day on 22nd March as much as I am! Here’s some information, particularly for those who are new.SILENCEWe usually spend the first section of the day in ‘silence.’ We talk normally on arrival, and once the classes start it’s no talking until lunchtime. Of course you can ask questions, or talk if it’s really necessary. People find the no-talking freeing and energising. I can promise you we make up for it at lunchtime, when the silence is lifted for the remainder of the day!

WHAT WE WILL BE DOING …

Starting with slow, gentle yoga stretches …

Guided meditations sitting on chairs

A talk about the benefits mindfully being in the body and Q&A session

Morning tea 15 minutes

Discussion and Q&A about the busy monkey mind (it’s normal!) and what to do about it.

An active, fun session with some movement and music

Information about the brain and its tendency to veer to the negative … and what to do about it.

A savouring enjoyable experiences meditation and discussion

Lunch (45 minutes- 1 hour including clean-up)

Long lying down guided relaxation (yes, it’s fine to fall asleep!!)

Cup of tea

The joy of connection … a meditation

Q&A session

Evaluation to fill out

Closing reflections

Home time 3.30pm

​WHAT TO BRINGMats, cushions and light coverings will be available; please bring your own if you prefer. Mats are for the yoga session at the beginning and the lying down relaxation after lunch. We do the meditations sitting in chairs (though it’s fine to sit on floor if you prefer). I have spare cushions for the chairs.LUNCHPlease bring a little something to share for lunch … whatever takes your fancy. It usually works out fine in terms of who brings what.

RECORDINGSI am completing Mindfulness Certification with a topnotch online training provider (the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, MMTPC). Although I’ve had years of experience teaching meditation, a qualification like this hasn’t been offered before. I’m in!​As part of my assessment, I am required to record bits of our program on Sunday 22nd. That means I’ll have my phone attached to a selfie-stick and will record myself teaching various sections of the day … including question and answer periods. The recording will only be shared with my Mentor for evaluation. Should you have any questions about the recording process, please feel free to ask.EVALUATIONMy certification also requires that I ask you to fill in an evaluation form at the end of the day. That would be much appreciated, thank you in advance.DEPOSITThank you to everyone who has paid their deposit. It avoids a last minute glut and allows enough space for everyone to stretch out in the hall without being overcrowded; I can let in the wait list for places that have not been claimed.

Please be advised that the Department of Health government guidelines for public gatherings will be in place at the Mindfulness Day at Eden Creek Hall on Sunday 22nd March.

We are advised that the decision to hold, restrict, modify, postpone or cancel an event should be based on a thorough assessment of the risk, which I outline below.

We are well under the restrictions for under 100 people for indoor gatherings and 500 for outdoor.

Considering the size of the space, the number of people in it, there is plenty of room for people to move around safely and spaciously (the general rule is 1.5 metres apart)

To be on the safe side, our small group will be capped at 6-8 participants, instead of the usual twelve-thirteen.

Hygiene standards will include the recommended:

washing of hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet

individual hand-drying towels

alcohol-based hand sanitiser

frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces

disposable individual cups

individual pens will be provided (or bring your own)

yoga mats and light blankets have been sterilised (or bring your own)

encouraged to cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

a bin available for immediate tissue disposal if needed

Unlike previous mindfulness days, participants on 22nd march are asked to bring their own personal lunch, rather than the usual lunch to share.

Please do not attend if you are unwell or have been to a higher risk country or been exposed to someone with covid-19 in the past two weeks (unless a test has come back clear.)

The general guideline for exposure risk is having had close contact with a confirmed or suspected case for more than 15 minutes or sharing a small room for more than two hours is likely to increase risk of transmission.​Should you feel hesitant about attending, please get in touch asap. A full refund is available.

"Thank you, Shakti, for a lovely day yesterday. I appreciate your hard work & professionalism that makes it go so seamlessly. I feel refreshed & recharged." -Bridget, 29th August 2016​

“A whole day of mindfulness is the perfect amount to take you out of your rut of daily life and be able to hit the reset button. Every aspect of the day made that possible, the gorgeous setting, the lovely company, the balance of relaxation and activities that require energy. Thank you so much for an amazing day Shakti. It’s so hard to pick one thing that I enjoyed the most, the whole package was wonderful.” Participant, August 2015

August 2015, Eden Creek Mindfulness Day

Mindfulness Workshop, Eden Creek NSW, March 2015

Day-long Mindfulness Workshops

One of my most favourite things is to run a day-long Mindfulness in Workshop. The morning schedule is full the we take an easier pace after lunch.

The day starts with a very gentle yoga stretch (no experience necessary) and the Luxury of Silence: no conversation until lunchtime. A series of guided meditations follow. If you're a beginner, no problem. I am skilled at making meditation easy, enjoyable and accessible for all.

In between meditations blocks we share in some light-hearted fun to provide a balance to introspection. Neuroscience tells us that we concentrate better when we’re happy. It might take the form of music and movement ... depends on the day.

After a shared leisurely, delicious lunch comes the ever-popular Yoga Nidra (guided deep relaxation). As if you needed to relax even more! Then afternoon tea and a series of group circle activities. It may be a stint of chill-out mandala colouring; or a heart-warming Loving Kindness practice or joyful Gratitude- or a bit of them all, or whatever the group brings to the afternoon session.

Please don’t hesitate to invite me to your group or community to deliver a full day of heaven.

﻿﻿Invite Me! ﻿ ﻿A trainer for both adults and children, I have a passion for crafting creative classes and devising games and interactive activities that bring mindfulness to life in group settings.

Interaction and fun are vital ingredients in the learning process: they prime the brain to relax and absorb new information. Light-hearted fun soothes an overwrought nervous system and brings on that all-important laugh.

A great way to introduce mindfulness concepts is through games that explore the pivotal effect of mindfulness on the brain and nervous system, the core of our being. Understanding the concepts helps the practice itself fall into place.